Mommys time out:


"Time out!"

No, not for the misbehaving child. Time out for YOU! Yes, mom I'm talking to YOU.
This time things have gone too far.

You look exhausted. Have you been resting well? Yeah me neither.
You look undernourished. Have you been eating the proper foods or are you grabbing every meal on the go like I do?
Have you taken the time for yourself to enjoy a nice hot shower or bath? Or do you rush through the tub as quick as possible knocking the dirt off.
Are you taking any vitamins? Do you forget those sometimes like I do?
Have you had an hour or two for yourself? Or are you rushing around caring for every one elses needs and then grouching at night because you feel like you haven't had a chance to breathe. Yeah I do that too.


Oh, momma! It's time for us to take a step back and have a time out!

You know what? We think our kids don't notice, but they do.
"When momma ain't happy nobody is happy."

Wonder what our families would look like if we took time out for ourselves on occasion.

This is why I decided to do just that! I have began to consciously take a mommy "time out" if not a little every day than at least once a week. Here are some of the things I have been trying so that  I can  make a turn around. I decided to share them with you.

(1) Take that time out to soak in a tub of hot water and read a book.
(2) Sit with the kids at the table to eat and when they make their demands tell them they need to wait.
(3) Delegate chores to the kids. (You can't do it all by yourself and if you don't teach them some responsibilities NOW, they will expect VIP treatment for the rest of their lives.)
(4) Buy a multi vitamin designed for womens needs. I know you're not expecting. But your body still needs certain vitamins to maintain health.
(5) Go to bed an hour earlier.
(6) Change the diet. Don't grab the chips for a quick snack. Eat a banana or a spoonful of Peanut Butter. The potassium and the protein will give you a good boost.
(7) Take time for a cup of hot tea. This can be very relaxing, and they make some pretty good blends. Try them out and find one you like! Then sit back and enjoy!
(8) Above ALL else, take time for yourself to talk to the Creator of all things. He made us and He knows just what we need to feel rested and fresh. He knows when we need that added energy and He creates the quiet moments of solitude and rest. The trick is...knowing what moment is what and taking advantage of that gift.

Those are just some of the things that I have started to do. Here are a couple of links that I enjoy when looking for ways to pamper myself. For me, the simple act of making things is relaxing so sometimes I get carried away and make too much. In those cases the act of giving things away is a joy in itself!

http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/sugar-scrub/
 I love this link! Lots of good recipes for sugar scrubs.

 Another way that I like to de-stress is to make potpourri and let it simmer on the stove. Sometimes the fresh scent has a calming effect even when I can't find that "alone time"
Here is one of my favorite recipes for stove top potpourri.

And the link here....   http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/2010/03/spring-is-here.html#comment-6a00d8341c51ba53ef0120a9772f44970b

It's a long link...I know. But I haven't figured out all the tricks of internet links. So hang in there with me ok. :)


I have a book I bought for next to nothing at the Dollar General. It's called '101 ways to Relax and Reduce stress' by Candy Paull. If you can find a copy you should get one. I've had mine for a few years actually. It's really been quite helpful when I need reminding that reducing stress doesn't have to be a 2 week vacation on a sandy beach. Some of her helpful hints for taking back our day in just momentary tasks are quite easy really. One of her suggestions was as simple as practicing mindfulness. She says, "...when you wash dishes, concentrate on the act of washing dishes. Feel the silkiness of the warm water. Take pleasure in the clean dishes. Allow the Spirit to whisper to you through the simple metaphors of daily living."
Doesn't that make you want to rush into the kitchen to do dishes right now!

Another article I read somewhere said to enjoy the scent of the dish soap that you use too. This is why I like lavender dish soap.

"Anywho"...that's just one of the ways she suggests reducing stress. When I take a moment to think really hard about what I need to do to take my mommy time outs and still be effective in my day to day tasks,  I generally remember at least ONE of the 101 ideas she gives in her book.

There is no excuse for us moms who do not take time for ourselves. There really isn't. Mothers should look fresh in appearance. Be clean enough that our children want to snuggle their faces close to us while delivering their best hugs! One of my favorite things to hear my children say is "Mommy! you smell sooo good!" You know that they are going to carry the memories of our appearance and our very scent with them for the rest of their lives. I want my children to remember me smelling of sweet scents and clean soaps that are fresh and not overbearing.

We should be awake and fresh in mind and body so that we can enjoy their playful antics and silly gestures instead of ignoring those precious moments because we're too tired to tolerate the silliness. We should be refreshed enough to respond quickly and creatively to their acts of offense. Sometimes a creative reaction can turn a fight between siblings or a childhood meltdown into a beautiful lesson in grace or self control.
Our children need us at full capacity. When we don't take time to care for our own needs, eventually our health depletes and our bodies become so exhausted that we cannot care for the needs of our families. The family NEEDS the Mommy!

So there you have it. I am determined to set myself straight on this whole Mommy "time out" thing. I hope that when others see me they too feel refreshed by my appearance and are drawn to me by my friendliness and the cheerful ways that I raise my children. God forbid if we ever have a moment where people turn the other way because of our unkempt appearance, bad odors and sour attitudes simply because we didn't take a "time out."

So mommys or any one else who just might need a break. Take that little "time out" to reflect on who you are and WHOSE you are. Regroup and take the time to relax on occasion, reduce the stress and rejoice in the beauty of things surrounding you. It really will make all the difference! How do you reduce stress? Let us know by leaving a comment in the Comments section below. Would love for you to share your feedback!

In Joy,
Aimee